100 Facts about Qur’an – Shaykh Shaibu Asali (Part 2)

51. Those who were previously disbelievers, and embrace Islam, Allah will forgive all their previous sins and turn them into good deeds. Allah says, “Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” {Surah Al-Furqaan 25: Verse 70}.

52. Allah says, “And turn away from the foolish (i.e. don’t punish them)” {Surah Al-‘A’raaf 7: Verse 199}. This verse contains an excellent strategy for dealing with foolish and ignorant people. These people should be ignored.

53. “And establish prayer”{Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Verse 43}. This verse is a commandment to the believers to perform prayer, perfect its internal and external pillars and conditions, and make it a visible rite of Islam.

54. Allah says, “Safeguard prayers and the middle prayer” {Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Verse 239}. The middle prayer is ‘Asr, and there is special emphasis for its safeguarding it because of its virtue and honor, and the fact that it is witnessed by the angels of the day and night, and it is the last prayer of the day. (The remaining prayers are performed in the evening and at night).

Ibn Umar narrated that : The Prophet said: “Whoever misses the Asr prayer, then it is as if he was robbed of his family and his property.”[Tirmidhi]

55. Zakaah which we are ordained to pay in the Qur’aan is a sign of faith, and involves doing good to others.

56. One of the worst characteristics is stinginess. This is cured by giving Zakaah to other people.

57. Surah Al-Jumu’ah states that when the call to prayer for the Friday prayer is made, trade becomes unlawful. This applies to all other situations in which a person may have to miss Jumu’ah like studying, and so on.

58. The verse “Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy” {Surah Al-Qasas 28: Verse 26}, indicates that a capable, qualified and honest person is the one who should be employed to do any type of work, whether it is great or small.

59. The stories of the prophets in the Qur’an show us their sincerity in da’wah because they did not seek monetary reward for it. Moreover, they were patient despite facing many obstacles, and they were truthful to Allah. That is a good example for us to follow.

60. The first sin which occurred was jealousy. Shaytaan was jealous of Adam, and refused to bow down and greet him. Similarly, the son of Adam killed his brother when the sacrifice of the latter was accepted by Allah. This shows the evil effects of jealousy.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Envy consumes good deeds just as fire burns wood. Charity extinguishes sinful deeds just as water extinguishes fire. Prayer is the light of the believer and fasting is his shield from the Hellfire.”[Sunan Ibn Majah 4208 Grade: Hasan(fair) according to As-Suyuti]

61. The destruction of the people of Nuh as stated in the Qur’an is an indication that the people of Eemaan are rewarded by salvation and honor in this world and the Hereafter, while the disbelievers are destroyed.

62. The story of Nuh teaches us the etiquettes of da’wah. He called his people to Allah day and night, in public and privately. He was patient and spent many years in da’wah.

63. Allah’s help should be sought, and His name should be mentioned when boarding and disembarking from means of conveyance. Moreover, Allah’s name should be mentioned when a person is saved from calamities and difficulties. The evidence for this is Allah’s statement: “And [Noah] said, “Embark therein; in the name of Allah is its course and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful” {Surah Hud 11 : Verse 41}, and Allah’s statement, “And when you have boarded the ship, you and those with you, then say, ‘Praise to Allah who has saved us form the wrongdoing people.” {Surah Al-Mu’minoon 23: Verse 28}.

64. The da’wah of all the prophets is one. Whoever rejects one Prophet has rejected them all. Allah said, “The people of Nuh rejected the Prophets,” “The people of ‘Aad rejected the prophets,” and “The people of Thamood rejected the prophets,” despite the fact that these people only rejected their prophet.

65. The deep-rooted beliefs that are inherited from peoples’ forefathers are one of the greatest impediments to acceptance of the truth. Such people reject the truth and say, “Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following” {Surah Az-Zukhruf 43: Verse 23}.

66. We should study the life history of prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) and take lessons from it because Allah said, “Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraheem (Abraham) and those with him” {Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60: Verse 4}.

67. Ibraaheem was the khaleel of Allah as stated by the Qur’aan. This is the status of the highest form of love from Allah, and no human being except Muhammad ﷺ and Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) reached this stage.

68. Whoever resolves to do a good deed, and prepares to do it, but is prevented from doing so by some reason will get the reward for that deed. When Ibraheem and Ismaa’eel submitted to Allah’s command for Ismaa’eel to be slaughtered, Allah rewarded them, and spared Ismaa’eel’s life by providing a sheep which was slaughtered instead of Ismaa’eel.

69. One of the greatest sins is underweighting when measuring for people. This is one of the reasons that led to the destruction of the people of Shu’ayb.

70. When a person orders people to do good, or prevents them from evil, he should be the person who adheres most to what he is calling to. The Qur’an states that prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) said, “I desire not to do behind your backs that which I ask you not to do” {Surah Hood 11: Verse 88}.

71. A person should be content with the sustenance that Allah provides him with. He should not seek to have additional sustenance through unlawful means. Prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) said, “That which is left by Allah for you (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you” {Surah Hood 11: Verse 85}.

72. Prayer is a cause of good deeds and avoidance of evil. The disbelievers knew this and that is why they asked prophet Shu’ayb, “They said: “O Shu’ayb! Does your Salat (prayer) command that we leave off what our fathers used to worship, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? Verily, you are the forbearer, right-minded!” (They said this sarcastically). {Surah Hood 11: Verse 87}.

73. Allah, based on His wisdom and mercy commanded us to pray repeatedly during the day and night. This is because prayer has a high status, numerous benefits and effects. One of the major benefits of prayer is that it “prohibits immorality and wrongdoing” {Surah Al-‘Anqaboot 29: Verse 45}.

74. Allah says, “And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know” {Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Verse 216}. This is an important rule which we must apply in our daily lives.

75. If a person fears that he may be killed unjustly if he keeps on staying in a certain place, then he should not expose himself to destruction by remaining there. Rather, he should flee if he is able to do as, as was done by prophet Moosa (peace be upon him) when he was informed that certain people wanted to kill him.

76. A caller to Allah should seek Allah’s help by mentioning his weakness and inability, as was done by prophet Moosa (peace be upon him) when he said, “My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!” {Surah Al-Qasas 28: Verse 24}.

77. One of the worst punishments that a person can be given is when he is made a leader in evil. This was the fate of Fir’aun and his acolytes. Allah said, “And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not be helped” {Surah Al-Qasas 28: Verse 41}.

78. Prophet Moosa did great good to his brother when he asked Allah to make him a prophet, and Allah accepted his supplication.

79. Whoever is worshipping Allah, seeking His help, hoping for reward from Him, will be protected by Allah. This is based on Allah’s statement: “ [Allah] said, “Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see” {Surah Taa Haa 20: Verse 46}.

80. A person with no patience of being in the teacher’s company and learning will not learn as evidenced by the story of prophet Moosa and al-Khidr.

81. The property and children of a righteous person are preserved by Allah. Al-Khidr was ordered by Allah to fix a wall under which the treasure of a pious person’s children was hidden.

82. Interpretation of dreams should be based on knowledge. A person who is not well-versed in interpreting dreams should not be involved in that because he will give people false information. Prophet Yoosuf interpreted dreams because Allah had blessed him with the relevant knowledge.

83. A person should hide information whose release will cause people to envy him and be jealous of him. This is why Ya’qoob told Yoosuf, “ He said, “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy” {Surah Yoosuf 12: Verse 5}.

84. Sins leads to other sins. When the brothers of Yoosuf wanted to separate him from his father, they contrived numerous plots, lied many times, and put blood on a shirt and pretended that Yoosuf had been killed by a wolf. People should avoid sins.

85. What is considered is the condition in which a person ends up in. Despite the fact that prophet Yoosuf had been imprisoned earlier on, he attained great status and occupied a powerful position in the king’s country, in addition to his prophethood.

86. Seclusion of people of the opposite sex should be avoided because it leads to undesirable consequences. The woman who tried to entice prophet Yoosuf got to that state because she found herself alone with prophet Yoosuf (peace be upon him).

87. Whoever has faith, knowledge and is sincere at all times to Allah will be protected from evil. This is why prophet Yoosuf (peace be upon him) was able repel the advances of the woman who wanted to commit a shameful deed with him.

88. When a person is tempted by being in a place where there is fitnah, he should flee from that place. This is why Yoosuf fled from the woman and went towards the door.

89. It is important for a person to have internal and external beauty. Prophet Yoosuf was externally handsome and he was internally beautiful because he had a pure, chaste heart which enabled him to stay away from illegal sexual intercourse.

90. A person should seek Allah’s protection when he is tempted by evil. This is why prophet Yoosuf said, “And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant” {Surah Yoosuf 12: Verse 33}.

91. A person should worship Allah in times of goodness and hardship. When Yoosuf was imprisoned, he continued worshipping Allah, and he called his fellow prisoners to the oneness of Allah, and he showed them that polytheism was evil.

92. It is praiseworthy for person to clear his name from allegations. This is why Yoosuf refused to come out prison until his innocence was proved.

93. It is not part of show off if a person mentions his skills and good qualities for a beneficial reason. This is why prophet Yoosuf said, “Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian” {Surah Yoosuf 12: Verse 55}.

94. Knowledge is very important. Yoosuf attained a great status in the world and the Hereafter because of his different forms of knowledge: knowledge of Allah’s laws and rulings, knowledge of the interpretation of dreams, knowledge of planning and organization.

95. Thinking ill of someone when evidence for their bad nature is there is not prohibited. This is why Ya’qoob told his sons, “Should I entrust you with him except [under coercion] as I entrusted you with his brother before?” {Surah Yoosuf 12: Verse 64}.

96. All the good in that a servants attains in this world and the Hereafter is from the effects of piety and patience. In this regard Yoosuf said, “Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good” {Surah Yoosuf 12: Verse 100}.

97. Youth should take a stance against evil in their societies. This is why the youth mentioned in Surah al-Kahf rejected the worship of idols and went to hide in a cave. Allah said, “Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance” {Surah Al-Kahf 18: Verse 13}.

98.“Is not Allah sufficient for His Servant” {Surah Az-Zumar 39: Verse 26}, Allah suffices for His servant according to his level of worship.

99. It is part of wisdom to be gentle in relating to the Muslims and when calling the non-believers to Islam. Allah said, “So by mercy from Allah , [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you” {Surah Al-‘Imraan 3: Verse 159}.

100. Supporting the religion of Allah through any means guarantees a person’s success in the world and the Hereafter. Allah said, “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your footholdfirm” {Surah Muhammad 47: Verse 7}.